17 groups get $5m *

EMPOWERING CIVIL SOCIETY: European Union (EU) Ambassador Aad Biesebroek, sixth from right, with some of the recipients of grants at the EU's office at Queen's Park West, Port of Spain, on February 10. —Photo courtesy the EU

The European Union (EU) has awarded $5 million (672,000 euros) to 17 organisations for projects that focus on governance, gender- based violence and LGBTI (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and inter-sex) issues.

This was announced earlier this month by Ambassador Aad Biesebroek, Head of Delegation of the EU to T&T, who said the EU's decision to support civil society organisations (CSOs) stemmed from recognition of their work.

He added that empowered civil society is a crucial component of any democracy.

Among those present at the recent function at Queen's Park West to hand over the grants were deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Development, Beverly Khan; Spanish Ambassador Jose Maria Fernandez Lopez de Turiso, and St Augustine Campus chair of the Institute for ­Gender and Development ­Studies, Dr Gabrielle Hosein.

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